Entering its 7th year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that was, and still is, fueled by the power of Social Media and collaboration.

#GivingTuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end of the year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year, and a growing catalog of resources.

What is #GivingTuesday?

#GivingTuesday was created by the team at the Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, which is a cultural center in New York City that has been bringing people together around the values of service and giving back, since 1874!

#GivingTuesday connects diverse groups of individuals, communities, and organizations from around the world for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. A team of influencers and founding partners joined forces, collaborating across sectors, offering expertise and working tirelessly, to launch #GivingTuesday and have continued to shape, grow and strengthen the movement.

#GivingTuesday utilizes the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities. It provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources, and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners - nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals - to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness.

As a global movement, #GivingTuesday unites countries around the world by sharing the capacity to care for and empower one another.

What You Can Do

Give Back - Donate

Whether it's your time, money, or items, donating to your local charities, animal shelters, rescue missions, churches, schools, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations can create a world of difference in the lives of others. Donate to a charity or organization that has impacted your life. Remember to share that you gave and encourage your family and friends to join you in giving back on #GivingTuesday.

Donations don't necessarily have to be monetary. Reach out to local organizations and see what items they need the most and collect them. Be creative with your ideas.

For instance: donate blankets, paper towels, or newspapers to your local humane society or veterinary clinic, donate food to your local food bank, donate blood to the Red Cross, for your next birthday or holiday, ask for charitable donations instead of gifts, create gift baskets or care packages for soldiers overseas or for single mothers.

There are many ways to donate, and many items to donate for any organization. Below are some examples of items that you could donate!

Donate a Dog Life Saving Kit to your local police station. A K9 Naloxone Kit treats and revives police dogs from overdoses. As they do their duty of searching for substances, dogs can accidentally ingest life-threatening, harmful drugs, particularly narcotics and opioids.

Donate an Emergency Trauma Response Kit to your local schools, businesses, hospitals, or any organization that could benefit from a kit such as this. Our Emergency Trauma kits contain FDA approved medical supplies that are used by EMS responders to slow bleeding, cover wounds, and to help revive a person, if needed.

﻿Donate ﻿any First Aid Kits, or any first aid supplies, to organizations such as, the Red Cross, your local Rescue Mission or homeless shelters, your local Hospitals or Nursing Homes, Schools, etc.

Speak up and speak out! Search for nonprofits in your neighborhood and email them or call them to see how you can help. Become an advocate for an organization that has left an impact on your life. Consider holding a public event where you can raise awareness about the organization you are supporting. Research what the organization needs the most, write articles on those topics or give presentations highlighting those topics.

Host a community fundraiser with games, food, baked goods, or raffles and have a leader from the organization speak for a few minutes to inform the crowd a little bit about themselves. Afterward, donate any proceeds or items collected to that charity.

Give Back Your Time - Volunteer

Below are some sample ideas of how you can use your time wisely and give back to those in your community - not just on #GivingTuesday, but every day of the year:

Walk dogs at your local animal shelter

Help train service dogs

Foster animals that shelters don't have the space for

Organize a spay and neuter your pet program

Start a volunteer pet sitting business for your family, friends and neighbors

Feed and care for cats and dogs at your humane society

Organize a community blood drive

Send cards to soldiers serving overseas

Hold a bake sale for your favorite charity

Read books or letters to senior citizens, or to those who are visually impaired

Participate in a charity race

Contact a tree farm about donating and decorating Christmas trees to nursing homes, hospitals, or to families who can't afford to buy their own

Collect unused makeup and perfume to donate to a center for women

Organize a car wash and donate the profits to a charity

Help deliver meals and gifts to patients at a local hospital or nursing home

Tutor children during or after school

Collect and donate stuffed animals and give them to children in hospitals

Organize games and activities for children in hospitals or who are visiting hospitalized relatives

Knit or crochet baby blankets to be donated to hospitals or homeless shelters

Collect baby clothes and supplies to donate to new parents

Adopt a family or sponsor a child living in a foreign county

Donate used children's books, or adult books to a school or regular library

Deliver groceries and meals to elderly neighbors, or relatives

Host a holiday meal for senior citizens

Volunteer to cook or serve at a soup kitchen

Make birthday cards or gifts and visit those in nursing homes who may not have any family members

Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean, or mow the lawn for a senior citizen

Donate clothing and shoes to Good Will or a homeless shelter

Build a house with Habitat for Humanity

Think about your interests and what most appeals to you, then choose specific organizations pertaining to your interests to contact. Figure out how much time you can spend to volunteer, which will help you know what projects to pursue and it will also help volunteer coordinators organize. Next, do some research to see what projects you can do in your community, or look for organizations that are actively participating in #GivingTuesday. Lastly, start volunteering!

Give Pro Bono

If you're a professional, use your skills to help nonprofits with their campaigns. Search for pro bono opportunities or reach out to your local nonprofits to see how you can use your talents for good!

No matter what you choose to do, be sure to participate in #GivingTuesday next week. Kind people are the best people, and couldn't we all use a lot more kindness, care, and compassion in this world? Yes, we sure could.

We are now wrapping up our final blog of the Meningitis series by discussing the last four, rare types of meningitis - ﻿fungal, parasitic, amebic, ﻿and ﻿non-infectious. ﻿We have already discussed the two most common forms, one being the severe, and potentially fatal bacterial meningitis, and the other being the less severe, but still serious viral meningitis. Let's take a look at the rest of the types, beginning with:

Fungal Meningitis

Fungal Meningitis is rare and usually caused by fungus spreading through the blood to the spinal cord. Although anyone can develop fungal meningitis, people who have weak immune systems, such as those with an HIV infection or cancer, are at an increased risk. The most common cause of fungal meningitis for people with weak immune systems is Cryptococcus.

Fungal meningitis is not spread from person to person. The disease can develop after a fungus spreads through the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body, to the brain or spinal cord, or from an infection next to the brain or spinal cord. Someone may also develop fungal meningitis after taking certain medications that weaken the immune system, such as: prednisone, medications given after an organ transplant, anti-TNF medications, or medications given for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune conditions.

Different types of fungus are transmitted in several ways:

- Cryptococcus is thought to be acquired through inhaling soil contaminated with bird feces.

- Histoplasma is found in environments with heavy contamination of bird or bat feces, particularly in the Midwest.

- Blastomyces is thought to exist in soil that is rich in decaying organic matter in the Midwest, particularly, in the Northern Midwest.

- Coccidioides is found in the soil of endemic areas, particularly the Southwestern United States, and parts of Central and South America.

When these environments are disturbed, the fungal spores can be inhaled. Meningitis results from the fungal infection spreading from the lungs to the spinal cord. Unlike the fungi above, Candida, which also causes meningitis, is usually acquired in a hospital setting.

Risk Factors

Certain diseases, medications, and surgical procedures may weaken the immune system and increase the risk of getting a fungal infection, thus leading to fungal meningitis. Premature babies with very low birth weights are also at an increased risk for getting Candida - the blood stream infection that may spread to the brain.

Living in certain areas of the United States may increase the risk for fungal lung infections, which can also cause meningitis. Living in the Midwestern or Southwestern United States is where the above fungi likely live.

In addition to those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women in their third trimester, African Americans, and Filipinos are also more likely to develop Coccidiodes infection, also called valley fever.

Fungal meningitis is treated with long courses of high dose antifungal medications, usually administered through an IV in the hospital. The length of treatment depends on how strong the immune system is and the type of fungus that caused the infection. For those with weak immune systems, or other diseases, treatment is often longer.

No specific activities are known to cause fungal meningitis. Avoiding soil and other environments that are likely to contain fungus is the best preventative. People with weak immune systems should try to avoid digging and dusty activities, as well.

Parasitic Meningitis

Various parasites can cause meningitis or can affect the brain or nervous system in other ways. Overall, parasitic meningitis is much less common than viral and bacterial meningitis.

Some parasites can cause a rare form of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, or EM, with increased levels of eosinophils, which is a type of white blood cell, in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. EM can also be caused by other types of infections, and can have non-infectious causes, such as medications.

There are 3 main parasites that cause EM in some infected people, and they are:

- Angiostrongylus cantonensis (neurologic angiostrongyliasis)

- Baylisascaris procyonis (baylisascariasis; neural larva migrans)

- Gnathostoma spinigerum (neurognathostomiasis)

How Do These Parasites Spread?

These parasites normally infect animals, not people, and they are not spread from one person to another. People get infected by ingesting something that has the infectious form or stage of the parasite.

For example: People can get infected with A. Cantonesis by ingesting raw or undercooked snails or slugs, or by eating contaminated produce. People get infected with B. Procyonis by accidentally ingesting infectious parasite eggs in raccoon feces or in something contaminated with raccoon feces. Lastly, people can get infected with G. Spinigerum in various ways, such as eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish, eels, frogs, poultry, or snakes.

As for risks, some people may have increased risk for infection because of where they live or travel.

People in many parts of the world have gotten infected with A. Cantonensis - especially, but not only, in parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. B. Procyonis is found in raccoons in parts of the United States, especially in the mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Midwestern regions, as well as parts of California. People in these areas, especially young children, who put dirt or animal waste in their mouth, or who spend time around raccoons are at an increased risk for Baylisacaris infection. The neurologic form of G. Spinigerum infection is most common in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand.

Symptoms & Treatment

As with meningitis caused by other infections, people who develop symptomatic EM from these parasites can have a headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion. Other symptoms - depending on the type of parasite, can include tingling or painful feelings in their skin and low grade fevers.

All 3 of these parasites sometimes infect the eye(s), and can cause severe illness, such as: loss of coordination and muscle control, weakness or paralysis, coma, permanent disability, or death. If you think you or your child might have meningitis, see a healthcare professional right away for the appropriate testing and clinical management.

If meningitis is suspected, samples of blood and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) are collected and sent for laboratory testing to look for evidence of infection with these parasites and to rule out other causes. It often is hard to find these parasites in the CSF or in other parts of the body, but the person’s travel/exposure history may provide helpful clues, along with the findings of clinical examinations, laboratory testing, and scans.

The most common types of treatment for EM caused by these parasites are for the symptoms, such as: pain medication for headaches or medications to reduce the body's reaction to the parasite - rather than for the infection itself.

Amebic Meningitis

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that causes a brain infection that is usually fatal. PAM is caused by the microscopic ameba, Naegleria fowleri when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose.

Naegleria fowleri is found around the world. In the United States, the majority of infections have been linked to swimming in warm freshwater located in southern-tier states, like Florida and Texas. The ameba can be found in:

- Water heaters. This ameba grows best at higher temperatures up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures.

- Soil

Naegleria fowleri is not found in salt water, such as the ocean.

How it Spreads

Naegleria fowleri infects people by entering the body through the nose. This typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. The Naegleria fowleri ameba travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys the brain tissue.

You cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water. In very rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water enters the nose. PAM cannot be spread from one person to another.

In its early stages, symptoms of PAM are similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis. Initial symptoms of PAM start 1 to 7 days after infection. The initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within about 5 days.

PAM is rare, with no more than 8 cases reported each year in the United States. The early symptoms of PAM are more likely to be caused by other more common illnesses, such as bacterial or viral meningitis. People should seek medical care immediately whenever they develop symptoms as those listed above.

Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose. Infection is rare and typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. Very rarely, infections have been reported when people submerge their heads, cleanse their noses or irrigate their sinuses using contaminated tap or faucet water. Naegleria fowleri can grow in pipes, hot water heaters, and water systems, including treated public drinking water systems. Personal actions to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection should focus on limiting the amount of water going up the nose and lowering the chances that Naegleria fowleri may be in the water.

Non-Infectious Meningitis

Non-infectious meningitis causes include:

- Cancers

- Lupus

- Certain drugs

- Head Injury

- Brain Surgery

This type is not spread from person to person, and mimics all of the same symptoms as bacterial or viral meningitis.

Imagine this: it's a beautiful, warm, summer day. The sun is shining, and you are relaxing in your lounge chair, determined to take advantage of that fantastic glow. You decide to spend some time working on your tan, only to feel your skin getting hotter and increasingly red by the minute. You touch your skin and, ouch! It's swollen, irritated, and sore.

You now have the classic beginning of a sunburn.

So, what actually is a sunburn and how do you get one?

Well, when your skin is exposed to the sun for a certain period of time, it becomes red, tender, irritated, and eventually, it burns.

How soon a sunburn begins varies on your skin type, the strength of the sun, and how long you have been exposed to the sun's rays.

The symptoms of a sunburn include:

Skin redness

Soreness or tenderness when you touch your skin

Swelling

Blisters

And in more severe cases, flu-like symptoms, such as: fever (or a feverish feeling accompanied by chills), nausea, headache, and lethargy.

As your body works hard to detoxify itself of sun-damaged cells, you will begin to notice your skin start to peel and itch, as it tries to regenerate new tissue.

You might be thinking, "so my skin might just get a little red and hurt for a few days, what's the harm?"

Did you know that sunburns, while their explanation may seem simple, can be much more complicated than just reaching the outside layer of your skin? The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light called: UVA, UVB, and UVC. While UVC doesn't reach the Earth's surface, UVA and UVB do, and can cause some serious damage on and beneath the surface of your skin.

UVA and UVB light not only contributes to the painful sting of a sunburn, but they also work underneath your skin to alter and damage your DNA, thus, leading to premature aging of the skin, and worse, skin cancer, which can be fatal if not treated properly.

But, there is great news. You can prevent sunburns easily, and if you do find yourself with one, you can treat it fairly simply as well!

Sunburn Prevention

Before relaxing in the sun, applying sunscreen is KEY! Be sure to choose a brand of sunscreen that will be most effective for you and your family's skin type, as well as a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Ideally, your sunscreen should have an SPF - or sun protection factor - of at least 30, and for extra protection, your sunscreen should be water resistant.

Once you have an effective sunscreen, such as this one, be sure to follow the tips below to ensure your safety while having fun in the sun!

Cover any exposed skin liberally with sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.

Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are sweating, or swimming.

Use sunscreen even on cloudy, overcast days, as UV rays can still penetrate through the clouds.

If possible, avoid being exposed to the sun between the hours of 11am - 4pm. During that time, the sun's rays are the strongest and can cause the most damage.

If you have to be outdoors during that time, it is best to wear sun-protective clothing such as: a hat with a broad brim to protect both your scalp and your face, a long sleeved shirt and pants, and UV blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Sunburn Treatment

Now, if you do find yourself with a pesky sunburn, there are several ways to treat it and get some relief!

Creams, Gels, or Aloe: to take the sting out of your sunburn, use products containing aloe, camphor, or menthol, and apply it to your skin as needed. My favorite product to use is Solarcaine Burn Gel with Extra Aloe. It's a very powerful sunburn treatment made to soothe not only sunburns, but other irritations as well.

NSAIDs: including ibuprofen or naproxen, these medications will help with pain and inflammation all over your body.

Stay Hydrated: a sunburn can quickly dehydrate you, so be sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids to prevent any dehydration.

As with any medical condition, ﻿always ﻿consult with your doctor before treating on your own. Remember to also ﻿contact your doctor immediately ﻿if you develop symptoms such as: a fever that is 102 degrees and above, chills, severe pain, blisters that cover more than 20% of your body, dry mouth, extreme thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue, which are all symptoms of dehydration.

Back aches and pains can really put a damper on things. Why should you have to suffer though? Next time you start feeling pain come on, be prepared and know that there are ways to reduce pain and swelling and get back on track towards feeling better sooner than later!